Again, I don't know if this is a good deal yet for the team, as we're yet to see who it affects. If it means moving promising young guys or alienating them (further in some cases...), then I think it's a very bad move. But purely from the standpoint of the kind of player we got for the money, it's a very good, solid deal. I wouldn't say great. Hossa for life at $5 million is great. Cleary for a year at $1.75 is just a good deal. He took a lot less money to stay, and given his age, may've risked a lot of money given that he could've signed a 3-year deal if he made the Flyers. That's all impressive in this day and age, and I think it's a testament to who Dan Cleary is and what he means to this team.

And that said, I think we might be undervaluing him in that regard, as now you have a mid-level vet in the locker room who turned down the chance at a lot more money to be a part of this team, because this team is special. I've said for awhile that we need more of that kind of attitude on the Wings again and less of the paying older floaters like Samuellson $3 million a year or career underachievers like Flip anything close to the $5 million or whatever it is he wanted. Given that there's no going back now, I can only hope this attitude rubs off on more guys in the dressing room. Hopefully our younger guys that will undoubtedly see less ice time because of this will be mature enough to look at the situation with some perspective and consider why Cleary did what he did.

And again, to be clear, if he signed for a penny more than $2 million, I'd be livid about this. And if we end up losing one of our better prospects over this, I'll likely get livid then. But for now, I'm focusing on the upside of it, and hoping that things work out for the best. If they can smooth out the roster and cap issues without hurting the future of this roster, it'll continue to be a very good signing for the Wings. Hopefully he's motivated to prove that this wasn't a mistake either and earn an extension and silence the doubters. Time will tell.

One thing for sure though is that it's going to make for a hell of an interesting pre-season...

Ken Holland is too sentimental with his players. At some point you have to cut the cord and do what is best for the team and not for your personal friendships.

Do you have a crystal ball? Are you a GM with a decade + knowledge or a coach who is regarded as one of the best in hockey? Oh.... I didn't think so. You just assume having Cleary on the team isn't the best for the team but to be honest no one can say really what is best. We can only take a guess.

You guys are going on about how loyal he is that he's staying here for a discount. If he were really loyal he'd want the best team on the ice, and knowing that he's taking a spot from a younger player who needs the experience is just being selfish, not "loyal". He shouldn't have been resigned, he doesn't fill any holes that we have on the team, and essentially just creates bigger ones.

See above.

Cleary was dreadfully slow and inept with an extended offseason and 48 game schedule. I can't wait to see what he's like after an 80 game schedule against the Eastern Conference.

Personally I don't care if he puts up 0 points in the regular season if we hit the playoffs and he can be as effective as he was last year. Playoff performers are worth every penny.

But yes the roster limit does suck. I'll wait to see what happens, but i'm not gonna moan and cry about it before we know what happens. Then again thats what forums are for... to moan, cry, pretend to be a GM, pass judgement.... you know. Otherwise this place would be dead.

My problem is that we don't seem to identify the up-and-coming stars to sign as free agents BEFORE they become stars. We seem to now get players after they have peaked and get the end of the career. I'm cool with Alfredsson since it is a one year deal and watching him last year, he still was a good player. But we need to target those 25-27 year olds and let them become stars HERE.

I think we have enough players with a playoff history. It is time to inject players who can make their own history.

I won't argue that point as it has some merit. I'm just trying to say that you can't sit here and say 100% that this was a terrible signing cause no one really knows. After the year you can reflect back and pass your judgement.

I'm very happy he's back. He turned down considerable money to stay here, it shows he really feels his place is in Detroit. And his love for this team will definitely show on the ice, he's all heart! I suggest all the haters look back at some playoff videos...

Only breathing is more important than winning

"For most of a decade, the Wings were the most popular team not just because they won, but also because they won with flair, with speedy Russians and legendary leaders and the occasional willing fighter"

I'm very happy he's back. He turned down considerable money to stay here, it shows he really feels his place is in Detroit. And his love for this team will definitely show on the ice, he's all heart! I suggest all the haters look back at some playoff videos...

This only shows how dumb Cleary is! He turns down a 3yr contract because he thought he was worth more to the team (lol). So they look else where and sign Weiss and Alfie. Cleary realizes he f***s up and take an amount that prolly twice the amount he's still worth but much less then he could have had. The amount stupidity on both sides is incomprehensible 1. We have no need for Cleary he's been replace. 2. He puts the Wings even more in a hole with too many forwards and even more above the cap. 3. Cleary can't even skate and stay on his feet.

The only way I'm okay with this is if Cleary plays on the 3rd and 4th lines. If he gets a top 6 spot with top 6 minutes like he did last season, then this signing is a major fail (especially with all the overload of talent we already have). But at 1.75M, I can live with it as long as he plays where he should (bottom 6) and doesn't steal any PP time away from more deserving talented players.

The other thing that makes this easier to live with is not only did he take less money to stay here, but that it's a one year deal, so he'll have more incentive and motivation than ever (if he wants an extension past the 1 year deal). So really this is a "prove it" kind of deal. And if he proves he can play like the Dan Cleary of a few years ago, then great. If not, then it will be a no-brainer to move on after the season.

So, is Cleary gonna throw the dukes now? Tootoo (as much as I disliked him from Nashville) serves a purpose. Who's our fighter now? Abby?

I'm sorry, I guess I don't get the anger. We got a player of Cleary's caliber for less than we're paying Tootoo? Even if he plays all season on the fourth line we're better off with this happening. I don't know about the rest of you, but I'd MUCH rather have Cleary in the lineup than Tootoo or Eaves...and now he's the same price.

Good signing.

Most nights, my posts are brought to you by some sort of IPA and a heaping dose of sarcasm.Success has a thousand fathers, failure is an orphan.
We not score, is hard to win. - Pavel Datsyuk #13

Wow, late to this party. I said 3 months ago I would be happy re-signing Cleary for 1 year, on a cheap contract - if he was in the 4th line rotation, playing limited minutes, then wheel him out for the playoffs.

But, as others have said, if we lose Tatar because of Cleary/Eaves/Emmerton/Miller/Bertuzzi/Samuelsson...

"If I can be totally honest, it's not a lot of guys you get impressed by. Actually, it's no one else but him. From the bench, to see what move he makes -- you're like, 'I wish I could do that.' Sometimes you sit on the bench and just think, 'wow,' and you look over to the other bench and they sit there and shake their heads, too. He has great, great skills. I'm probably not going to play with another player who has the kind of skills he has." Mikael Samuelsson on Pavel Datsyuk